GUIUAN, EASTERN SAMAR – All eyes were on the surf forecast and questions were raised about whether waves would come. This year, the ocean exhibited unusual behavior as late September typically arrived bearing the gift of waves. Fortunately, the local knowledge of Contest Director Atty. Bryan Lassiter and the technical team composed of surf veterans and members of the Surfriders Club of Eastern Samar (SCES) bore fruit. Calicoan Island, fully exposed to the Great Pacific Ocean, didn’t even need a swell for rideable waves to come.

The 13th Calicoan Odyssey Waves stretched from September 15-21, making full use of the contest period. The tech crew knew to make the call during each favorable pull of the tide, bumping up the wave face or speeding up the drop by increments at a time. Competitors had to be in sync with these micro-changes, tweaking their equipment and adjusting their surf game on the fly. Longboarders nudged their center fins up or down a notch while shortboards with more volume were pulled out of the quiver.

Siargao – 3, La Union – 3, Baler – 1

Eduardo “Tata” Alciso made clever use of priority as he ascended into the Finals of the Men’s Open Shortboard, exhibiting how to win an event where surfing abilities were leveled. Jolina Longos outplayed the other surfers in the Women’s Open Shortboard; she stayed critical, not once bemoaning the waves. To complete the first-place trophies going to Siargao Island, Toby Espejon locked the Junior Boys title, which his brother Troy won during the first leg in Pagudpud.

La Union also took home three champion trophies as Daisy Valdez reclaimed the Women’s Open Longboard title and first-time champion Perry Ventura took hold of the Men’s Open Longboard win. Mara Lopez, who came second in Pagudpud, finished first in the Junior Girls division in Calicoan.

Meanwhile, Rommel Rojo brought home the Masters Men trophy to Baler. Neil Sanchez and Cathleya Casals both came in close second, which nonetheless boosted their points to improve their national rankings.
As surf teams continue to win big at these national events, greater attention is drawn to the strengthening of regional support for the country’s only sanctioned tour. Drawing inspiration from other nations, the concept of regional tryouts takes center stage, serving as the practice grounds where talent is sharpened, contenders are sifted, and champions are named once and for all. Who will be the best surfers from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao? We’re dying to find out.
The future of Eastern Samar surfing
In the opening round of the Junior Boys contest, a kid who stood half the height of the other competitors caught the eye of the judges. Xian Andrei Cabacaba, a 9-year-old from Calicoan, had impressive moves that fell just a few points short of advancing to the next round. Those who knew Xian said he was more comfortable in double overhead waves, a feat we are excited to see. Unbothered by the early cut in the competition, the sprightly goofy-foot is looking forward to competing again. “I want to land an air by next year,” shares Xian.
Xian reminded us of Borongan’s sensation, Marionil Capacite, back in the 2019 Surf City Borongan National Competition. Marionil’s consistent air game catapulted him to 2nd place in the Junior Boys category, right on the heels of Toby Espejon. Another Eastern Samar surfer, Jansen Cafe, made it to the Finals of the Junior Girls division, finishing in 4th place.
Growing the grassroots
Behind every big dream is a small first step. The NextGen Pilipinas Surfing National Tour emphasizes that these Junior categories are the true highlights of the tour because tomorrow’s champs are trained and developed right here.
To keep the contest momentum going, Kinna Kwan and Jean De Rama quickly put together Time To Hang in Calicoan, a peewee longboarding event that originated in La Union. The likes of Jomarie Ebueza and Perry Ventura, both La Union champions, have walked the path paved by Time To Hang. Grassroots initiatives like this have ignited numerous surfing careers and its undeniable ripple effect is fuel for the national tour.
With a steadfast commitment to fostering regional support and nurturing the Junior talent pool, the future of professional surfing all over our wave-blessed archipelago will be nothing but bright. Even the smallest of waves can lead to the biggest change, the biggest stoke. But it’s not quite Calicoan without the Mall of Asia-sized sets. We all just have to wait until next year to see how the country’s best surfers contend with arguably one of the country’s best big waves.
Leg 2: Done
The 13th Calicoan Odyssey Waves holds the distinction of being a Grade 2 event and it’s not just bragging rights on the line. The victors here earn a hefty 750 points, a substantial boost to their national rankings. Second-place finishers aren’t left empty-handed as they pocket 600 valuable points. Meanwhile, those who share the equal glory of 3rd and 5th place walk away with 487 and 450 points respectively.
Event winners also get to enjoy well-deserved cash prizes. Top performers in each division are rewarded with a handsome P50,000.00 cash bounty, equal for men and women.
Here are the results of the13th Calicoan Odyssey Waves held in ABCD Beach, Guiuan, Eastern Samar:
Junior Girls
1st: Mara Lopez (La Union)
2nd: Cathleya N. Casals (Baler)
3rd: Rica Faith Manegdeg (Pagudpud)
4th: Jansen Cafe (E. Samar)
Junior Boys
1st: Toby Espejon (Siargao)
2nd: Marionil Capacite (Borongan)
3rd: Jayuard Alciso (Siargao)
4th: Troy Espejon (Siargao)
Women’s Open Shortboard
1st: Jolina Longos (Siargao)
2nd: Vea Estrellado (Sorsogon)
Equal 3rd: Daisy Valdez (La Union)
Equal 3rd: Dianne Nogalo (Siargao)
Men’s Open Shortboard
1st: Eduardo Alciso (Siargao)
2nd: Neil Sanchez (Baler)
Equal 3rd: Remar Magaluna (Siargao)
Equal 3rd: Philmar Alipayo (Siargao)
Women’s Open Longboard
1st: Daisy Valdez (La Union)
2nd: Ashlee Lopez (La Union)
Equal 3rd: Shiela Mae Convicto (Siargao)
Equal 3rd: Vea Estrellado (Sorsogon)
Men’s Open Longboard
1st: Perry Ventura (La Union)
2nd: Jomarie Ebueza (La Union)
Equal 3rd: Roger Casugay (La Union)
Equal 3rd: Yxernyl Mc Racil (Zambales)
Masters Division
1st: Rommel Rojo (Baler)
2nd: Clyde Ruina (Lanuza)
3rd: Rodolfo Alcala (Siargao)
4th: Manuel Melindo (Siargao)
To know more about the points and prizes, download the UPSA rule book located on the footer of this website.
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About UPSA
The UPSA is the sole recognized National Sports Association (NSA) for developing and promoting surfing in the Philippines. This recognition was granted by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) through Republic Act 6847. As the national governing body for surfing in the Philippines recognized by the International Olympic Committee, UPSA continues to support and foster the growth of exceptional surf athletes like Jay-r Esquivel, Jr.
About Pilipinas Surfing
Pilipinas Surfing is the country’s premiere professional surfing championship tournaments with multiple competitions held at different regions around the Philippines. These events are sanctioned under your Local Government Unit (LGU) as part of the only national competitions in a unifying and collective series of national legs around the country.